Newborn slain to hide 'shame'; couple held in Bogura

A newborn baby was allegedly murdered by its mother and stepfather to avoid social stigma at Bogura sadar upazila. 

The couple, identified as Nipa Akter, 24 and her current husband  Dulal Mia, 38 were detained by police on Saturday following the recovery of the infant's body in a pond. 

According to local and police sources, Nipa was previously married to a man named Shukur Ali but the couple divorced approximately six months ago. She subsequently married Dulal Mia during the last month of Ramadan. 

It is reported that Nipa gave birth to a child late Friday night. Fearing public judgment and social shame as the child was suspected to be from her previous marriage, the couple allegedly slit the infant's throat with a blade before dumping the body in a nearby pond at Telihara Uttarpura village.

The incident came to light on Saturday afternoon when locals discovered the body and alerted the authorities.

Bogura Sadar Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Ibrahim Ali confirmed the arrests and stated that the body has been sent to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital for an autopsy.

Police are currently interrogating the suspects and legal proceedings are underway to ensure justice for the brutal killing, the OC added.

TZ